New to forum, hello!

[MW]

Hi everyone--

I'm new to the forum and I'm glad I finally found this space. I knew the UBPN existed but for a while but I was in denial about the severity of my injury so I put the blinders on and just did what the doctors said. I'm looking forward to sharing info with others about coping with their condition.

First, my brief history--
I was out running this year when I was hit by a vehicle and sustained, among other things, a traumatic BP injury. My humerus was shattered and my biceps and triceps muscles completely destroyed. My left arm, hand, and wrist are completely flail but I do have upper back and shoulder strength. After the initial recovery, I had an appt at Mayo in Rochester MN, where Drs Spinner, Shin, and Bishop suggested a free muscle transfer from gracilus to biceps. The muscle graft would then be innervated w/ the shoulder nerve (can't remember which one). I am now recovering from that surgery in a cast/sling combo (google Donjoy Ultrasling ER to see what I have). Hopefully in 6 months I may be able to raise my lower arm under my own power, and not need a sling all the time.

A couple things I have done to help maintain a normal life w/ only 1 functional arm:
-Elastic shoelaces
-Kitchen Workstation from Sammons Preston-- allows you to cut, chop, peel, open jars etc with only 1 hand. Well worth the cost


I deal w/ pretty severe neuropathic pain in the hand though; currently on gabapentin (neurontin), amitriptyline, and tramadol, with limited success. Tried a TENS but did not help.

For those with TPBI, does the pain ever decrease over the long term?

Any suggestions for dealing with the pain in general?

Thanks everyone,
Mike

[racerboy]

Hi Mike and welcome to UBPN, the Isle of Misfit Toys. ) Sorry to hear of your accident, but it aounds like you've already got an idea on what's involved from the surgery-side of this 'dang' injury and have seen some of the best BPI doctors.

As far as the pain goes, do a search of the forum to see how others have been dealing with this issue. I've been fortunate in that I have very little pain due to my injury, but that may be because I did not suffer full avulsion of the nerves at the root, rather, stretched the nerves beyond repair.

Thanks for the link to the Donjoy sling.

Frank

[Its1105]

Hi!

Welcome to the forum! Sorry to hear about the injury though. You definitely seemed pretty well informed about it all.

I just had my injury in Dec 2008, so I am not sure I can tell you much about long term issues.

I personally do have lots of nerve pain as well as muscle spasms from my injury. I took neurontin but it did not do much for me at all. I go back to my doctor on the 26th to have follow ups concerning the progress I have and discuss more pain management options. It seems like from what I have researched and heard from others, that the pain really varies from person to person. Some have lots and others have little.